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I am a student. I am 17 years old. I am applying to college. I am in the midst of a media storm surrounding my school. I go to duPont Manual High School and in the past weeks I have heard story upon story about my school, the students and teachers in it, and the principal running it.

I have heard stories of recordings, unjust comments, and students and parents feeling uncomfortable within the walls of my school. From the news articles and word of mouth, I have heard that my principal, Jerry Mayes, has said things such as he "lost four jobs because I was white" and he believes some students are choosing to kneel for "sensationalism." Both of these coming from ... (Courier Journal) articles. ...

I am the child of a principal myself, and it baffles me that a man in charge of children can have such an abundance of ignorance. Despite the number of courses available through U of L and Louisville nonprofit associations that teach diversity and inclusion.

I am torn. I do not know if I want my principal fired because he has helped me publish articles and I have spoken to him directly for other forms of help. However, he also ... has pulled me, as well as other girls, over in center hall and told me I "should smile more." I have never been told by a superior, whether it be male or female, to smile more. I felt extremely uncomfortable and for the rest of the day I felt as if I had done something wrong. I still don't like going down center hall when he is standing there.

I know the kids who recorded the conversation, ... and I know the kids that organized the sit-in. ... The student who recorded the conversation then released it to the public did so on his own terms and I am confident that (no) teacher encouraged, let alone forced, him to do anything.

Even though I am not sure whether or not I want (Mayes) fired, I do know that this action is long overdue. It is finally time that students talk about the things Mayes has done and said to his students, whether it be generation separation or just an abundance of ignorance.

I went to the Black Student Union meeting that Mayes attended, and when he started speaking at 2:55 he claimed he had to leave at 3:10. He gave the hundreds of students in that cafeteria 15 minutes to discuss how they felt about what he has done. Mayes expects us, the students who are most affected by this, to teach him how to be a better person. However, it is not the job of the oppressed to teach the oppressor, as one student alluded to during the sit-in.

I believe that this is a time for students to comprehend and heal after all of these accusations have been released about our school. Students need to continue to speak out and have their own voices in all of this mess. On the other hand, I believe parents and people from the outside do not have a place to be blaming certain people for what happened. They don't understand fully what has happened. The students barely know what is going on so how would anyone not directly involved?

These are my own thoughts and understanding, as a student of duPont Manual, on the events. ... This, although some students might agree with me, is not the only opinion and I'm sure other people feel differently. I am not going to dismiss their feelings but I am not sure if I can change mine at this time.